Worcester- Helen M. McNichol (Mom, Grandma Helen, Grandma Cookie), 91, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2024 at Cooperstown Center.

She was born June 24, 1932 in Ridgewood, NY, the daughter of proud Slovenian immigrants Charles and Mary (Okorn) Medved.

She graduated with a business degree from a Catholic High School in 1948. Following graduation she worked as an accountant for 6 years for an insurance company in Manhattan.

Helen married her "Mr. Blue eyes", Eugene F. "Gene" McNichol on June 12, 1954 in Queens. Together they grew their family of 4 children on Bethpage, LI. In 1967, they moved their family to Worcester, NY after falling in love with the town through many years of summer visits.  She received her beauticians' license and ran Helen's Beauty Shop out of her home from 1968 to 1996, where she gained many lifelong friends in the community.

In her free time Helen loved gardening, bowling, playing cards, BINGO, knitting and crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family. As the known matriarch of her family her door was always open, delicious food was always on the table, parties were plentiful, time spent with her children and grandchildren was a priority. Hosting frequent big family dinners and establishing holiday traditions have created memories that will last a lifetime.

Helen was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Worcester and the Worcester American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Karen McNichol (Paul Naples, Sr.) of Mooresville, NC, Aileen and Edward Head of Worcester, NY, Andrew McNichol of Mooresville, NC., and daughter-in-law Judy McNichol of Parma, OH; eight grandchildren, Matthew McNichol, Adam McNichol, Jessica (James) Gaske, James (Helen) Goodrich, Katye (Christopher) Stoop, Stacey (Edward) Serdy, Mark (Allyson) Head, Kevin (Colleen) Head; as well as 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Helen lost her husband, Eugene McNichol May 11, 2006. She was also predeceased by her son Eugene J. McNichol, daughter-in-law Robin Zeh-McNichol, brothers Chuck Medved, and Raymond Medved, sisters Sylvia Medved, Mary Huebner, and Betty Mravlja.

Funeral mass will be held at 11 am Saturday, February 24, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 201 Main Street in Worcester, with the Rev. Joseph Arockiasamy as the celebrant.

Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Worcester at a later date.

Donations may be made to the Worcester Fire Department, PO Box 430, Worcester, NY 12197 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.hellerskinnerfh.com, the website of Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester.